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Saturday, October 19, 2013

POVERTY & PREJUDICE: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow by Bette A. Stevens

As a baby boomer that grew up in an average
middle-class family in America during the 1950s and 1960s, poverty was not
something I had to dwell on or even think about as a child or as a teen. For
me, poverty was an unknown concept.

Poverty in America during the 1950s and 1960s was
simply ignored in our wealth-burgeoning society. I was not alone in my ignorance.
“[In fact, it’s been more than 50 years] since Americans, or at least the
non-poor among them, ‘discovered’ poverty, thanks to Michael Harringtton’s
engaging book The Other America.” (Twisting the Phrase “Culture of Poverty”
Barbara Ehrenreich March 16, 2012).

The seldom acknowledged poor were mentally relegated
to the ghettos and backwoods of American society. In reality the poor were right
here among us. I know. They still are. I’ve met them and listened to their
stories. I’ve written about them and am still writing about them.

I’ve encountered poverty vicariously through the
stories of those who lived it. Some of my adult friends and acquaintances grew
up in this invisible world―one where being poor was an accepted part of life
for those who were there. They didn’t want to be there or ask to be there. It
was just their lot. It was a tough way to grow up, but they made the most of
what little they had. Some didn’t realize that they werepoor, until
someone from an upper class pointed out their obvious lacks. Some thought they
were pretty well off, even a bit superior, when they met someone who had less. Some
even took opportunity to lord their newly-discovered social superiority over those
less fortunate. Regrettably, this ill-conceived notion of being superior to
others continues to exist throughout the rungs of society’s class-based ladder.

What
about the children?

As an elementary and middle-school teacher
(currently retired), I have witnessed the direct effects of poverty’s aftermath
on kids. What hit me the hardest was the way those who were among the “haves”
would ignore, belittle or bully the “have-nots.” Don’t be disheartened, though.
I’ve seen students, teachers, counselors, librarians, volunteers, administrators,
parents, as well as church group and other community members who have made and
are still making a difference in the lives of the poor and “different” among
us.

How
to make a difference?

Treat those who are different with dignity, respect and kindness. Get to know them in a
personal way. Point out their strengths and talents. Encourage them to participate
in activities and programs where they can showcase those strengths and talents.
None of this can be done from a distance or simply by giving money to a cause. Of
course, that is important, too. If we really want to make a difference, it’s
got to be one-on-one. That could mean offering a smile, a friendly and sincere
“Hi, how are you?” or a simply lending a listening ear.

Same
old story?

[N]ew
study from The National Poverty Center shows that the number
of U.S. households living in extreme poverty (defined here as less than $2 a
day per person) more than doubled from 1996 to 2011. The number of extremely
poor children also doubled during that time, from 1.4 million to 2.8 million. (Extreme Poverty Down Globally, Up in U.S.,
Lauren Feeney, March 7, 2012)

Since the 1960s, poverty programs have abounded. And
yet, the poor are still with us. In fact, as we see poverty diminishing
globally, poverty is ever-increasing in America. Meanwhile, not much has
changed in society’s concept or treatment of the poor in their plight:

“Poverty, it seems, is
largely invisible to middle class people in the United States. Their knowledge
of the basic facts and insights mentioned above is extremely limited. Here the
problem isn't research or pedagogy. It is clear enough how the Detroit Free
Press or the Atlanta Constitution could present the basic facts
about national or regional poverty on a clear and understandable form. Instead,
the problem seems to be a cognitive version of myopia. The social circumstances
that confront us up close, and that are likely to influence our basic
interests, get our focused attention. But all too often, more distant social
problems don't get a second look. And this seems all too often to be the case
for poverty.” (Understanding Society,
Knowing Poverty April 9, 2008)

Here we stand as a nation in 2013 still threatened
by The Great Recession. For middle-class citizens, our immediate social
problems revolve around the American economy and what we can do to make our
individual lives better, or, at the very least, keep ourselves from spiraling
downward into poverty. Still, we manage to hold the poor off at a distance. We surely
don’t want to be counted among them.

A
time for change?

Fortunately antipoverty programs are coming to the
forefront in America once again. Journalist Greg Kaufmann (The Nation) shares some encouraging words:

“This past year I’ve had the opportunity to cover
the antipoverty movement — and I do believe it’s a movement — it’s just a
little too much of a well-kept secret right now.

“But I think in 2013, the people and groups at
the forefront of antipoverty thinking and action are poised to reach a much
wider audience, and gain far greater popular support.

“That’s in part because the movement is led by
organizations and individuals who have been fighting poverty for decades, and
they offer solutions that are grounded in empirical data and the everyday
experiences of millions of working Americans and families.

“In contrast, the opposition to antipoverty
reform relies largely on tired stereotypes, myths and prejudices — that
low-income people are lazy and don’t want to work; that they only want handouts, or to live off of
welfare; that antipoverty policies have failed; and, most recently,
that we can’t afford these
investments.

“But an economy that is short on opportunity and
concentrates wealth in the hands of a few is coming into focus. The interests
of low-income people and a shrinking middle class are converging — everyone
wants fair pay, a shot at a good education and an economy defined by
opportunity and upward mobility.”

Are poverty and prejudice
indelibly linked to America’s future?

I think not. As a
pragmatic idealist (Is that an oxymoron?), I plan to continue writing fiction
(based on facts) that highlights the plight of the downtrodden, sparks
awareness and inspires us to eliminate poverty and prejudice where we live
right now. I believe we can and will make a difference―one caring human being
at a time. There are stories yet be told. And many yet to be lived.

Bette A. Stevens is a retired teacher and the author
of three books: Stevens’s latest book, PURE TRASH is a short story about a
nine-year-old poor boy’s Saturday adventure in rural New England during the
1950s, written for the YA/adult audience. Through PURE TRASH, the author
explores prejudice, class division, alcoholism, poverty, injustice and
bullying. This story is a prequel to her upcoming novel. Readers can find out
more about Stevens and her books at http://www.Amazon.com/author/betteastevens

About Me

Multicultural Florida Author.I believe that life is meant to be lived to the fullest , and I make it so. Multilingual; English, Spanish, French,and Swedish.
Adventuresome youth and filled with great memories, but no regrets.
Mother, wife, writer and Astrologer.